“Let’s have coffee in the study, John,” said Hilda suddenly, “and I’ll try to do what Kitty asks. I do think you and Anthony ought to know how abominably she has been treated, especially as one of her wretched persecutors seems to be losing his head and getting to work again.”
“Personally,” said Risk, “I confess to acute curiosity. In two minutes we shall do as you suggest, Hilda. Meanwhile, Miss Carstairs, let us try to come to some agreement with West about the play.”
It was a tactful suggestion, for Kitty was requiring a change of thought rather badly just then.
Later, as they were passing to the study, Sharp got a word with his master in the hall.
“Mr. Hayward asked me to tell you, sir, that he was making a call at the Kingsway Grand Hotel, but that he did not expect to be long in returning.”
“Very well. . . . Did he ask for anything before he left the house?”
“A flexible cane, sir, which I chanced to be able to provide.”
Risk nodded, and looking serious, was about to follow his guests, when a thought seemed to strike him.
“Sharp, did Mr. Symington make any response to the message?”
“He did, sir.”